INDIANAPOLIS - On Tuesday, January 12 at 6 p.m., the Humane Society of Indianapolis (HSI) will hold a memorial ceremony at its 7929 N. Michigan Rd. shelter to honor the lives of 72 cats lost during a recent virus outbreak, and also to celebrate the reopening of its main cat adoption room which has been closed to the public and quarantined for the past six weeks. From January 12 - 17, the shelter will also offer cat adoptions for $20.10 to kick off the new year and celebrate the availability of 107 adoptable cats.

Humane Society of Indianapolis staff, volunteers, board members and supporters will
light 72 luminaries lining the sidewalk from Michigan Road to the David Horth Pet
Adoption lobby. The name of each cat who did not survive will be read as its candle
is lit.

In late November, the shelter's cats suffered from a mutated form of a common
disease, feline calicivirus (FCV). The shelter vaccinates all incoming cats against
FCV, but the virus mutated into a severe and often life-threatening strain, virulent
systemic calicivirus (VS-FCV), which spread to many cats in less than 24 hours. Upon
discovery of the newly mutated virus, the shelter quarantined its cats and
thoroughly disinfected the facility to prevent further transmission. 72 cats
suffering from oral ulcers, swollen limbs, and severe pain caused by the virus were
euthanized. The virus's impact subsided quickly, and more than 100 remaining cats
were intensively cared for in the shelter and foster homes. VS-FCV doesn't affect
humans or dogs, and the shelter remained open to the public during the quarantine.

"I'm adopting two of our shelter cats - Siam and One Potato - in celebration of the
end of the quarantine," said Christine Jeschke, HSI's Director of Operations. "They
were living with the first cat we lost in the outbreak, Buzz, and had mild symptoms.
Thankfully, they made it through, and will live with me, my three other cats, four
dogs, and my husband and little boy."

The Humane Society of Indianapolis extends its thanks to people in the community who
stepped forth to help save the remaining cats through volunteering, fostering, and
donating much-needed items such as bleach, paper towels, and cat toys.


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About HSI: The Humane Society of Indianapolis is the leading voice for the welfare
of animals and improving their quality of life. HSI is the first choice in providing
direct services for shelter cats and dogs, including adoption, foster home
placement, behavior training, appropriate medical care, and affordable spay/neuter
services. As the voice for the animals, HSI brings together like-minded
animal-focused individuals and groups to educate the public about animal welfare
issues and concerns. For over 100 years, it's all about the animals.

A private, nonprofit 501(c)(3) organization that receives no public or private
government funding, the Humane Society of Indianapolis is Indy-based and
independent, and is supported solely by contributions, grants, bequests,
investments, and adoption and service fees. For more information and current
adoptable animals, visit http://indyhumane.org.

Mr. Tristan Schmid
Director of Communications and Marketing
Humane Society of Indianapolis

www.indyhumane.org